LevMax-Health pushes innovation forward

The competition for federal funding can be fierce, and even the most promising projects can score well but remain unfunded.  

The LevMax-Health Program is Alberta Innovates’ solution to ensuring these projects get the support they need. 

The program supports researchers at Alberta post-secondary institutions with competitive but unfunded applications in recent Tri-agency competitions from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, or Canadian Institutes of Health Research.  

LevMax-Health prioritizes projects related to research commercialization, clinical trials, and health system transformation to strengthen Alberta’s health and life sciences ecosystem.  

The program’s fifth round of funding, awarded in spring 2026, invested nearly $7.2 million to move forward 11 projects based at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary.  

Among the recent successful applicants is Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky, an assistant professor from the University of Calgary whose project applies mixed methods to understand frequent use of the emergency department. Her team’s goal is to leverage partnerships with the healthcare system to identify opportunities to alleviate system stress, while ensuring Albertans can access care with expediency.  

Dr. Adam Kinnaird was also funded through LevMax-Health. The University of Alberta surgeon scientist is leading a late-stage, international, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of two prostate cancer screening methods: high resolution micro-ultrasound and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.  

LevMax-Health’s sixth intake is open now and will accept applications until 4 p.m. MDT on August 28, 2026. Applications must include written scores and individual reviewer comments from a Tri-agency competition between February 1 and July 31, 2026.  

Full eligibility and application requirements are available at the LevMax-Health program page.